# NTSB ATL00LA087: Grumman G164A, N7955, Dillon, SC, September 9, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 9, 2000, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Dillon, SC - Coordinates: 34.419898, -79.359191 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4199&lon=-79.3592&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 4, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 51038 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL00LA087 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51038/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL00LA087 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power due to a cracked cylinder head. A factor was the emergency landing into unsuitable terrain, and the subsequent nose over. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering - aerial application - engine assembly,cylinder - cracked (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - Nose over, emergency landing ## Analysis The pilot was spraying chemicals into a field when the engine lost power. The pilot made an emergency landing into a soft field and flipped inverted during the landing roll. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the vertical stabilizer. Examination of the engine revealed that the number eight (8) cylinder had cracked. ## Factual narrative On September 9, 2000, at 1030 eastern daylight time, a Grumman G-164A, N7955, collided with terrain during an emergency descent to landing following a loss of engine power, in Dillon, South Carolina. The airplane was operated by the commercial pilot under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 137, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local agricultural flight. The pilot was not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated from Dillon County Airport, Dillon, South Carolina, at 0950. According to the pilot he was spraying chemicals into a field when he heard a hissing sound and the engine lost power. The pilot made an emergency landing into a soft field and flipped inverted during the landing roll. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the vertical stabilizer. Examination of the engine reveled that the number eight (8) cylinder had cracked. According to the pilot, the engine had accumulated 1,113 hours since its last major overhaul. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7955](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7955-2009-09-01), registration cancelled 2009-09-01, S/N 834, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman G164A - Registry model: [Grumman G-164A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-g-164a) (registry code 3952704) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-1](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-an-1) (registry code 51659, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 834 - Airframe hours: 6828 - Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: James W. Price - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 28, 2000, 41 hours before - Departed: DLC - Destination: SC ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 4,230 total, 350 in this make and model, 4,000 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: FLO, 24 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20000909015349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000909015349A), Sep 9, 2000: Scwzer G164A, Dillon, SC, No damage. (-23) At approx. 1000 local time, pilot was spraying cotton field 5 miles west of dillin, SC, when engine made loud hiss and started cutting out. Pilot tried… ## Other investigations on N7955 (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB FTW72FPG74](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW72FPG74), May 16, 1972: Grumman G-164A (N7955), Turrell, AR, substantial damage From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.